Posts from the ‘Florida Gardening’ Category

Dwarf Gardenia May 23, 2013 This year I have planted 2 Dwarf Gardenias in my front yard where they can get plenty of sunshine. They right now are loaded with blooms and have been continuously blooming for a month. Pretty and sweet. This plant grows to mature height of 3 feet with a 3 foot spread. The white blooms can add a nice fragrance to any landscape.

Well here it goes. You can guess what’s cooking for Dinner tonight. I just picked my first harvest of peas and tomatoes. Now my work is cut out for me. Shelling them is the job. It’s all worth it . I don’t mean to sound like I am complaining. While shelling these peas. I like to find me a Bible study lesson or a good old gospel preaching to listen at while I am shelling away at these peas my ears are open.

I have a favorite website for when I am not able to read the word. Shelling peas is a good time for it. I hope many will agree there is no excuse these days for not learning the Truth(Gods Word). When I am not able to read I can just key in the KJV on my favorite website at Sermon Audio and it will read any Chapter and verse for me. This website has it all click here Gospel preaching and Bible Study. God has been good to me, so yes I do get excited. No way can I ever take a stroll through TBerrys Garden and not say “Thank Ya Jesus!” Right now it’s Beautiful and lot’s of work to be done. Will you join me Sermon Audio. To all my Gardening friends I am sure you’ve heard, my ears are open to the word. Fingers dare not on the keys but shelling peas, Amen!!

TBerrys watching the okra that doesn’t seem to have taken off as I expected. I have lost a few bushes. Not sure to as why maybe to not enough rain. We didn’t get any rain for a long time till last week. This is just an update of the Okra. As you can see here pictured to the far right they are not more than a foot tall and they are putting out blooms for the ones that are left growing

TBerrys Tomatoes are growing well. This morning I saw at least 6 tomatoes hanging on one bush. I am getting ready to go ahead a pick some of the biggest ones shown here tomorrow. For Fried Green tomatoes. I just last week fertilized them with Lime, 10-10-10, and Magnesium Sulphate. Last week we also had a good rain shower to water it all in well. Today all the vegetables are looking great. I can’t wait to taste this big tomato tomorrow.

Picture May 17, 2011 First picking yes!!

Picture May 17, 2011 pictured here are 4 tomatoes hanging together making it at least 6 or more tomatoes on the bush.

TBerrys Garden!!! May 17th I see just the tip of this my Gypsy Sweet Pepper. This is the first for me as to ever growing them. Last week I put some Magnesium Sulphate or (Epsom Salt)on them and all my pepper bushes. Aprox a tablespoon is all I put per potted bushe. They have greened up quickly. Last year I learned about adding Magnesium to my peppers when they seem to be yellowing. Thanks to one of my blog comments. Thanks again for the tip. I am this year also trying this on my tomatoes along with the of course putting lime that tomatoes bushes love. So far my tomatoes and peppers are looking great. More info on Peppers, fertilizing etc. Click More info Epsom Salts

Picture May 17, 2011. This is an image after applying Magnesium Sulphate a week ago.

The scuppernong is a large variety of muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia). This grape species has the distinction of being the first grape to ever be actively cultivated in the United States. It was declared the state fruit of North Carolina in 2001 The grape was named after the Scuppernong River of North Carolina, where it was first discovered. The word Scuppernong is from the Algonquian Indian word ascopo which means “sweet bay tree.” The fruit grows where temperatures seldom fall below 10 Fahrenheit.

Over 100 years of breeding has resulted in several bronze cultivars such as Carlos, Doreen, Magnolia and Triumph, they are distinguished by being perfectly flowered, which means the vine now produces male and female flowers. Opposed to the Scuppernong variety which only has female flower parts. The oldest cultivated grapevine in the world is the 400 year old scuppernong “Mother Vine” growing on Roanoke Island, NC

Scuppernong is usually a green or bronze color and is similar in appearance and texture to a white grape, but rounder and about 50% larger. It was first known as the ‘big white grape. The skin is very thick and tart and several small green seeds are found in each grape. The pulp is viscous and sweet and the seeds are bitter – the most desirable part of the scuppernong is the sweet juice. The vine is an exceptionally strong grower, and its wood is the envy of the grape family.

Muscadines have a high tolerance to diseases and pests. There are no insect enemies, or fungus diseases that attack the fruit. Although black rot sometimes attacks the leaves in the spring, but never enough to affect the growth of the vines, or to cause any apparent detriment to a vine when given proper care. The blooms open during the first part of June, and the grapes ripen during September.

As with all grapes, muscadines need full sun with good airflow and proper drainage, As with all grapes, muscadines need full sun with good airflow and proper drainage. This grapevine can grow from 60 to 100 feet and should be planted 8 to 11 feet apart.

It can be rooted so you can have more grapevines. In rooting Scuppermong grape vines, the first step is to look over the grapevine in mid-summer and find a cane that is in season. Bend the cane to the ground and make sure that it is long enough to lie on the ground leaving the tip free. Then score the stem in four or five places with a sharp knife where the brance touches the ground. Mound soil over the cane, leaving the tip uncovered. Lay a brick or push down two u-shaped wires to hold the cane against the ground.

You have to keep the ground moist so that the cane will produce roots. The sections where you scored the cane will produce roots. Severe the cane from the parent in the fall when the grapes become dormant and roots have developed. Last thing you will do is to dig up the rooted grape and plant it in your desired location.

The properly care of Scuppernong grapes you must fertilize them regularly. Apply half a pound of 10-10-10 after planting. Spread the fertilizer on either side of the vines a foot from the bases. Apply another light sprinkling in late May or early June. In the second year, apply double the amount. Each year thereafter, apply 2 pounds of fertilizer in March and half a pound in June. The scuppernong or muscadine grapevine (Vitis rotundifolia) is a fast-growing deciduous vine that can produce grapes for more than 50 years. It is used for fruit, wine and shade.

Picture taken May 13, 2011. This picture show lots of new growth. I pruned this grapevine back February.

Years in the past shows Muscadine shows this same grapevine along with 2 others that I didn’t know were all planted together. All 3 growing together making it rootbound. It was very dry and wasn’t producing grapes like it should have. All the fertilizing that I had done in the past was not helping. Fertilizer cold never reach the roots. This year after cutting it all the way back I now have 2 grapevines. I am hoping that by seperating them that they will be more fruitful. I’ve fertilized it with 10-10-10. I have been watering regularly every other day. Now only time will tell. So far it is looking very healthy and seems to be growing very fast. Click here to see grapevine MUSCADINE Grapevine 2009. This page I had posted when it was growing but badly rootbound.

2 weeks ago. I planted these Pink Begonias in my window boxes this year. Begonias are a landscaper’s favorite. Superior performance with lots of color punch. They look great all summer until frost. Unlike some plants, begonias will bloom all summer without fizzling out with the summer heat. Little maintenance in the landscape provides an extra benefit. Dead-heading is not necessary. Bronze leaf varieties are best for use in the sun. Try green leaf varieties for shady spots. Website Begonia Flowers more info. E How.com….on growing Begonias